India’s spinners, led by Harbhajan Singh, took their cue from Pakistan before them, and restricted West Indies to 214 for nine in the first One-day International on Monday. Harbhajan collected three for 32 from 10 overs, and led the five spin bowling options employed by the Indians that conceded 125 runs from a collective 31 overs. Ramnaresh Sarwan hit the top score of 56 from 94 deliveries, and Marlon Samuels made 55 from 75 balls in a third wicket stand of 82 that gave the innings some backbone, after West Indies, electing to bat, went into a tailspin on 59 for three in the 19th over. Praveen Kumar struck an early blow, when he had Lendl Simmons caught at mid-off for six in the seventh over, and Munaf Patel had left-hander Darren Bravo caught at slip for four in the next over, leaving West Indies 28 for two.
Harbhajan set West Indies back further, when Kirk Edwards was caught at slip off a top-edged pulled whip. India faced defiance, as Samuels joined Sarwan, and they revived West Indies, but the spin bowling remained a danger, and the two batsmen were never in full control. Patel made the breakthrough, when Sarwan glanced a leg-side delivery, and was caught behind, triggering a collapse that saw West Indies lose their next five wickets for 37 inside the last 10 overs.